Fleet tracking devices have always been an integral part of the fleet business. Without these devices, it is almost impossible to track anything about the fleet. In fact, fleet tracking devices may be considered the best companions for fleet owners. They also act as true mentors for the manager. Although there are different types of tracking devices, most of them can be broadly divided into two categories.
Active Devices – Active devices are used way more than passive devices in the fleet business. These devices are considered to be more reliable and functional. They can easily provide you with real time update of every piece of information related to the vehicle and fleet. The best part is that active devices not only provide you with sufficient information, but also store it.
The manager or owner of the fleet can easily see all the relevant information and data without making any extra efforts. You can easily access this data from anywhere in the world through appropriate software or online websites providing such capabilities.
Passive Devices – These devices also store relevant information about the fleet and vehicle. Some of the information categories covered by passive devices include fuel usage, speed of the vehicle, number of halts made by the vehicle, duration of these halts, routes taken by the driver and basic driver profile.
However, one major drawback of passive devices is that they don’t provide real-time information. You can only check all the information once the vehicle or fleet has returned. This is the reason why they’re not as popular as active devices.
Most of the owners or managers use fleet tracking devices like GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite Services) and GPS (Global Positioning System). These devices work on the basis of signals emitted by satellites and tower close to the fleet. A receiver is attached to the vehicle and uses these signals to identify the exact position of the vehicle.
Some common tracking devices include;
Cellular Tracking – Cellular tracking is preferred by most fleet owners because of lower initial setup cost. Cellular tracking devices can effectively utilise cellular transmissions to transmit relevant information regarding whereabouts of your fleet. However, these devices are not strictly real-time. Information is reported every five to ten minutes depending on the kind of system you choose.
Cellular tracking devices also carry service costs on the basis of a monthly fee. In other words, you will have to make an ongoing payment instead of a one-time fee. The owner can access the information on the internet via accompanying software.
Wireless Passive Tracking – The basic difference between Wireless Passive and Cellular tracking devices is that the former doesn’t require an ongoing payment. They can be acquired with a one-time payment. Once a technician has installed and set up the system, you will not have to pay any further fees. However, wireless passive tracking devices can be quite expensive to install.
The primary reason for increased expense is the inclusion of dual components of software and hardware that need to be installed. Moreover, a database also needs to be created to store information about your fleet. One major drawback of wireless passive systems is that you can only access the information once your vehicles have returned to the depot.
Satellite-Based Tracking – Satellite-based tracking devices are more accurate and provide detailed information about the fleet. Due to this, there are preferred by most shipping and trucking companies. Although they can be a bit more expensive than other systems, the monthly fee varies on the level of detail you choose.
Satellite-based tracking devices provide real time data without any delay. This makes sure you’re always aware of the location, speed, halts and other such information about your fleet.
Importance of Tracking Devices in Fleet Business
Tracking devices work together with various softwares installed in the fleet tracking system. A tracking device identifies, collects and stores various data. The software displays this data to the manager or owner of the fleet. Due to this, tracking devices act as guides for managers and drivers.
The manager and owner can use relevant information to select the most efficient path for a driver. This may save the driver from unnecessary traffic and accidents. Tracking devices also help managers keep record of daily activities. If you want to grow your fleet tracking business, it is very important to use fleet tracking devices.
